Rookies 2005

                                                                                                                           Pitching Line = IP H R ER BB SO
 

24 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  William Bergolla 2B CIN 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI & 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI  ...  Dane Sardinha C CIN 2-4, R, 2 RBI  ...  T.J. Pena SS ATL 2-4, R  ...  Scott Thorman 1B ATL 2-5  ...  Adam Bernero ATL 5 5 2 1 1 4, 0.90  ...  Shane Victorino CF PHI 1-3, 15th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, SB  ...  Pedro Liriano PHI 4 6 4 3 6 4, 3.91  ...  John-Ford Griffin LF TOR 2-6, RBI  ...  rehab, Corey Koskie 3B TOR 2-4, 2B, RBI, BB, HBP  ...  Jamie Vermilyea TOR 6 4 3 2 1 7, 8.03  ...  B.J. Upton DH TB 1-3, R, 3 BB  ...  Delmon Young RF TB 2-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI  ...  Jason Hammel TB 6 7 2 2 3 3, 4.63  ...  Carlos Pena 1B & DH DET 0-3 & 1-4, 2 RBI  ...  Marcus Thames RF & LF DET 0-1, RBI, BB, SF & 0-0, 4 BB  ...  Joel Zumaya DET 6 4 2 2 3 7, 7.71  ...  Jeremy Guthrie CLE 8 8 5 5 2 5, 5.54  ...  Abe Alvarez BOS 6-1/3 5 5 1 1 2, 4.60  ...  Nate McLouth CF PIT 2-4, SB  ...  Brian Bannister NYN 7 9 4 4 0 8, 3.55  ...  Kevin Thompson CF NYA 2-4, 2B, R, RBI, HBP  ...  Melky Cabrera DH NYA 2-4, 2 R, SB  ...  Terry Tiffee 3B MIN 2-5, R  ...  Jason Bartlett SS MIN 2-5, R  ...  Chris Heintz DH MIN 2-5, 2B, RBI

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Joe Saunders ANA, gave up a leadoff double, then nada in s CG win, 7 1 0 0 4 7, 3.29  ...  Casey Kotchman ANA 1-2, homer & 1-4, .276  ...  Prince Fielder MIL 2-4, 19th homer, .254  ...  Jason Botts TEX 2-4, 20th homer, 3 RBI, .295  ...  Juan Dominguez TEX 5 2 0 0 0 4  ...  Ryan Shealy COL 3-4, 2 homers (18), 4 RBI, .338  ...  Yuniesky Betancourt SS SEA 3-4, .298

EASTERN (AA)  --  Vince Perkins TOR 5 4 3 2 1, 3.81  ...  Lastings Milledge NYN 1-5, walk, .410  ...  Merkin Valdez SF 5-2/3 7 7 7 2 8, 5-5, 3.38  ...  Fred Lewis SF, 4-5, 2 doubles (18), .268  ...  Dan Denham CLE, fine season, 7 3 0 0 1 6, 3.14  ...  Franklin Gutierrez CLE, CF & leadoff 1-4, 10th homer, .232

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Russell Martin C LA 0-4, .302 ... Delwyn Young 2B LA 2-5, RBI, .291 ... Andy LaRoche 3B LA 0-3, 2 BB, .274 ...  James Loney 1B LA 0-4, .280 ... Joel Guzman SS LA 2-4, run, 5th SB, .286 ... Edwin Jackson PH LA 0-1, .167 ...  Justin Orenduff LA much better 5.0 2 2 0 1 6, 4.78 ... Hong Chih Kuo LA 2.0 0 0 0 1 3, 1.74 (1st save) ... Robert Andino SS FLA 0-3, run, .273 ... Jeremy Hermida OF FLA 1-3, run, 20th SB, .302 ... Reggie Abercrombie OF FLA 1-4, 2B, run, 2 K's (96), .280 ...  Nick Ungs FLA 6.0 7 3 2 2 2 3.49 ... Josh Burrus OF ATL 0-3, 2 runs, .229 ... Gregor Blanco OF ATL 2-3, 3B, 2 runs, 2 RBI, .235 ...  Luis Hernandez SS ATL good thing he only weighs 150 so the Mendoza line is still far off 0-3, RBI, .221 ... D'Angelo Jimenez SS CIN 3-5, 2B, 2 runs, .281 ...  Phil Dumatrait CIN 5.0 4 3 3 3 5, 3.38 ... Arian Cruz CIN 1.0 2 0 0 0, 0.00 (W) for the season, 14.2 IP, 6 hits, 0 BB, 17 K's ...  Noochie Varner OF AZ 1-4, .290 ... Dan Uggla 2B AZ 0-3, run, .328 ... Jesus Cota 1B AZ 1-3, .261 ...  Jon Zeringue OF AZ 1-4, 2B, run, RBI, .267 ... Jamie D'Antona 3B AZ 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, .256 ... Marland Williams OF AZ 0-4, .231 ... Luis Montanez OF CHN 3-3, run, RBI, 2 BB, .310 ... Brandon Sing 1B CHN 0-3, 2 BB, 2 K's, .295 ...  Carlos Marmol CHN 7.0 2 1 1 3 7 1 3.34 ... Elliott Johnson 2B TAM 0-4, 2 K's, 38th SB, .295 ... Wes Bankston 1B TAM 1-4, .306 ... Shawn Riggans C TAM 0-4, .268 ... Gaby Martinez OF TAM 1-3, .222

TEXAS (AA)  --  Joaquin Arias TEX 3-4, double, (hitting .197 at the end of April, .234 by the end of May, .284 end of June, now up to .310)  ...  Howie Kendrick ANA 2-4, double  ...  Justin Huber KC 2-4, 14th homer, .348  ...  Tyler Minges STL 3-5, double, .315

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Brandon Wood ANA, extending his minor league homer lead, 2-3, 33rd double, 34th homer, walk, .325  ...  Kevin Melillo 2B OAK 2-3, walk, 2 RBI, .316 (a hit in each of his 18 games in the CAL, 30 game streak overall)  ...  Troy Tulowitzki SS COL 3-5, .294  ...  Ian Stewart COL 3-4, double, .280

CAROLINA (A+) --  Nick Markakis BAL 1-4, R, K  ...  Matt Esquivel ATL 1-3, R, HR (16), 2 RBI (67), BB  ...  Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 3-4, 2 R, double (24), RBI, K  ...  Micah Schnurstein CHA 2-4, K  ...  Chad Spann BOS 3-4, 2 R, double, HR (9), RBI, K

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Jordan Tata DET 6 4 0 0 5 7, 9-2, 2.44  ...  Tyler Clippard NYA 7 1 0 0 0 8, 3.36  ...  Greg Miller LA, solid progress, 2 0 0 0 0 3  ...  Matt Kemp LA 2-4, 2 homers (21), .293  ...  Brian Dopirak CHN 2-4, 10th homer, .244  ...  David Purcey TOR 5 7 3 3 2 5, 3.63

MIDWEST (A) --  Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 1-4 (.283)  ...  B.J. Szymanski CIN 1-4, 3 K's (.270)  ...  Eric Patterson CHN 3-4, 9th HR (.340)  ...  Josh Rainwater DET 3 2/3 1 0 0 1 7 (3.56)  ...  underappreciated teenager David Winfree MIN 2-5, triple (.280) .. Juan Lucena STL 1-4 (.307)  ...  Matt Bush SD 0-2, but 2 BB's  ...  Sean Kazmar SD 2-4, 22nd double, 14th error (.261)  ...  a Saturday sombrero Javier Herrera OAK 0-5, 4 K's (.266)  ...  Luis Cota KC 5 2 1 1 3 7 (3.49)  ...  Brian McFall KC 0-3, 2 K's (.229)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Craig Whitaker SF 1-2/3 3 3 0 1 3, 5.45   ...   Jeff Corsaletti BOS 2-5, run   ...   Yuniel Escobar ATL 3-6, 2 runs   ...   Brandon Jones ATL 4-5, 2 homers, 4 RBI, 3 runs, 2 walks, .324   ...   Travis Denker LA 1-4, homer, 3 RBI   ...   Trevor Crowe CLE 2-5, run   ...   Ambiorix Concepcion NYN 2-4, RBI, SB (25)   ...   Aaron Laffey CLE 5-2/3 6 3 3 0 6, (W, 7-4), 2.54   ...   Mark Rogers MIL 4-1/3 6 6 6 5 5, (L, 1-7), 4.74


NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Brett Gardner CF NYY 2-4, 2R, BB  ...  Jon Poterson RF NYY 0-4, R, RBI, K  ...  Jacoby Ellsbury CF BOS 1-1  ...  Jed Lowrie SS BOS 2-5, 2R, HR, 2RBI  ...  Luis Soto RF BOS 1-3, HR, 2BB, K (11 game hit streak)  ...  Jeff Landing NYM 7 2 2 0 1 2  ...  Cory Patton RF TOR 2-4, 2R, 2 2B, RBI  ...  Ryan Patterson CF TOR 1-4, R, RBI  ...  Wladimir Sutil SS HOU 2-5, R, 2B  ...  Pete Sellers 1B HOU 2-4, 2R, HR, 2RBI  ...  Matt Cunningham RF HOU 3-3, 3R, HR, 4RBI, BB, 2SB  ...  Brian Bogusevic HOU 1 0 0 0 0 1  ...  Ryan Steinbach SS BAL 4-4, R  ...  Nolan Reimold RF BAL 1-4, R, 2B, 2RBI, BB  ...  Ryan Edell CLE 4 3 0 0 2 8  ...  Tyler Greene SS STL 2-5, 2R, 2B, 3RBI, 3K  ...  Carlos De La Cruz LF STL 4-5, K  ...  Nick Webber STL 7 2 0 0 4 4  ...  Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 2-5, 3B, 3K

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Shane Lindsay COL 2 2 2 2 3 5, 2.17 (53Ks in 29 IP)  ...  John Mayberry OF TEX beginning to get a feel for the pro game, 3-4, double, 3 runs, .227  ...  Steve Murphy OF TEX 3-4, triple, .341  ...  Nick Pereira SF 5 5 1 1 1 2, 1.76  ...  Michael Mooney OF SF 2-3, 3rd triple, 3rd homer, walk, 4 RBI, .371

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  in his Appy debut, a line you don’t see every day:  Cody Wargo (C BAL)  1-2, 3 RBI (3), BB, K, SF ...   not often you get to knock in 3 runs in one game with a lone single and no extra base hits…  Jacob Butler (RF TOR, 8th rd.)  3-4, R, HR (7), 4 RBI (24), .269 BA…  P.J. Hiser (1B CLE)  3-3, R, HR (8), 2 RBI (27), BB, CS (2), .290 BA…  Maxi Ramirez (C ATL)  3-4, 2 R, .368 BA…  Devin Anderson (SP ATL)  W (3-0), 6 2 2 2 1 5, 2.16 ERA…  Juan Portes (2B MIN)  2-4, 2 R, 2B, BB, CS (2), E (6), .367 BA…  still unscored upon, Tim Lahey (RP MIN)  SV (9), 1 0 0 0 3, 0.00 ERA…  Cardinals’ top pick Colby Rasmus (CF STL, 28th overall)  2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI (6), .282 BA…  Cory Wells (RF NYM)  4-4, 2 R, 2B, HR (2), 4 RBI (10), .283 BA, but CS (1) and 2 E…  looking like a nice pick, SUNY Stony Brook’s Kevin Fitzgeraled (RP STL, 45th rd.)  SV (7), 1 0 0 0 0 1, 0.63 ERA…  tough loss for Ricky Brooks (SP CWS, 3nd rd.)  L (0-2), 5 6 2 1 0 3, 2.89 ERA)  ...  Friday catch-up  - Wilfrido Perez (SP BAL)  5 2 1 0 3 9, 3.72 ERA…  Koby Clemens (3B HOU) 1-4, R, 2B, .286 BA…  eye popping:  Eric Campbell (3B ATL)  3-3, 4 R, 3 2B (10), 2 RBI (23), 3 SB (9), .276 BA…  still running wild, Ovandy Suero (2B ATL)  2-4, 3 R, 3B (5), BB, K, SB (21), .336 BA, E (3)…  3rd rounder Ryan Mullins (Vandy, SP MIN)  W (2-0), 6 1 2 1 2 9, 1.95 ERA and now 39/9 K/BB ratio and just 16 hits yielded in 27-2/3 IP for the powerhouse Elizabethtown Twins (26-5 overall)…  Chuck Carter (LF STL, 27th rd.)  3-4, 3 R, HR (2), 3 RBI (17), .290 BA…  2nd round pick (70th overall) Josh Wilson (SP STL) posting a nice line with W (1-0), 6 1 2 1 2 2, 3.70 ERA.

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  3b Gary Perez KC 3-4, HR(2), 2RBI, 2b  ...  SS Christopher McConnell KC 1-5, 3b(4)  ...  3b Rusty Ryal ARI 3-4, 2R, RBI, E  ...  P Matt Green ARI 3.2 9 6 6 2 4 (7.88)  ...  2b Jesus Soto LAD 2-4, HR(5), 3R, 3RBI, BB, 2SB(5)  ...  3b Russell Mitchell LAD 1-3, 2R, 2BB, SB(2)  ...  CF Brandon Roberts CIN 1-4, R, BB, SB(17)  ...  3b Corey Wimberly COL 2-5, 2R, 2SB(17), CS(7)  ...  C Angel Salome Mil 2-3, RBI, R, 2b, BB (.427), 2E, PB  ...  RF Brendon Katin Mil 1-4, 2RBI, R, (.424), E  ...  1b Ned Yost, Jr Mil 2-4, 2b, 3RBI

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Clint Everts WAS, 3 4 3 1 1 3  ...  Christopher Volstad FLO's 1st rounder (16th overall), 7 7 3 1 0 7, 2.00  ...  James Avery CIN 2 2 0 0 1 6  ...  Reymond Cruz PHI 6 2 0 0 0 9, 3.00 (5 BB, 34 K in 30 IP)

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Josh Johnson SS KC 4-4, double, 2 walks  ...  Jose Duarte OF KC 4-4, 3 RBI, .383  ...  Wally Backman TEX 1B 2-4, 2 homers, .375  ...  Donald Veal, Cubs' 2nd rounder, 3 1 1 1 1 4  ...  Curtis Ledbetter SEA 3-5, triple, .328

  Troop Movements  ...   DET - Justin Verlander up, Kevin Hooper to AAA, Vic Darensbourg up, Verlander to AA  ...  KC - Kyle Snyer up, JP Howell to AAA  ...  MIN - Michael Ryan to AAA, Scott Baker up, Baker to AAA, Terry Tiffee up  ...  TEX - James Baldwin, Adrian Gonzalez up, Erasmo Ramirez, Marshall McDougall to AAA  ...  TOR - David Bush up  ...  CIN - traded Joe Randa to SD for Justin Germano, Travis Chick, recalled Edwin Encarnacion  ...  COL - Anderson Machado, Randy Williams up, Eddy Garabito to AAA, Jason Jennings DL  ...  FLO - activated Josh Beckett, Travis Smith to AAA  ...  SD - Sean Burroughs to AAA, Craig Breslow up  ...  ANA - Jered Weaver promoted to AA Arkansas  ... 

    Zach Chalifour, RotoTimes, with notes on some struggling prospects :

"  ...  Franklin Gutierrez  ...  was rated one of the top outfield prospects in baseball following a 24-homer season in 2003 for the Dodgers, and the Indians acquired him for the disgruntled Milton Bradley  ...  22-year-old lost his power stroke in 2004 as he went deep just five times, but he did hit over .300 while playing at Double-A Akron. He's back at Akron this season and although he has regained some of his power stroke with a total of nine home runs in his first 78 games, he's otherwise having a very poor season  ...  will not be a surprise if he drops off the majority of prospect lists until he can once again prove himself."

"  ...  Eric Duncan  ...   Rated by Baseball America as the Yankees' top prospect at the start of the season, Duncan has not only been overshadowed by the success of fellow prospects  ...    he's also had a very disappointing season of his own. The 20-year-old has never hit for a very good average throughout his career, but he's currently on pace for a career low in batting average as he is currently hitting at just a .239 clip. He has continued to hit for power, however, as he's slammed 13 home runs and driven in 46 runs. Additionally, Duncan has demonstrated relatively strong plate discipline by drawing 50 walks in 96 games. The 2003 first-round draft pick remains somewhat of a wild card because of his low batting average, but he is still very young for the Double-A level and could reach New York as soon as the second half of next season with better results at the plate."

    Scott Rex, OnDeck, updates his Southern League prospect chart :

 1. Jeremy Hermida, OF, FLO      6. Andy LaRoche, 3B, LA
 2. Joel Guzman, SS, LA          7. Felix Pie, OF, CHN
 3. Chad Billingsley, RHP, LA    8. Brian McCann, C, ATL
 4. Jeff Francoeur, OF, ATL      9. Chris Young, OF, CHA
 5. Scott Olsen, LHP, FLO       10. Jason Vargas, LHP, FLO

    Cubs farm  ...  bad news, good news :

"  ...  Pitcher Angel Guzman most likely will not pitch in a game this year because of inflammation in his right elbow. Guzman had been slowed by a strained right forearm, but during a side session, he began to feel pain in his elbow. The Cubs have decided to shut him down. Outfielder Felix Pie, who has a bone bruise on his ankle, is at least one week away from resuming play for Double-A West Tenn. Pie was batting .304 with 11 homers and 25 RBIs in 59 games for West Tenn." (MLB.com)

   John Sickels, MinorLeagueBall, on Brandon Wood ANA :

"  ...  How much does Wood have left to learn in the California League? Probably not much. .322/.386/.683, with 33 homers in 93 games. Hard to beat that, especially from a decent defensive shortstop. Even accounting for California League stat inflation, his progress has been remarkable this year. So why the promotion delay? Wood is still just 20. He went into a horrible slump in late July last year in the Midwest League, as he seemed to wear down in the humid Midwest air. He still has some occasional trouble with strike zone judgment, his defense still needs polish, and the Angels already have a good shortstop prospect at Double-A. So, right now, there are some legitimate reasons for them to be patient with him."

   Jon Papelbon BOS, beaten 1-0 Thursday, looks beyond the W-L record :

"  ...  I felt good, and I felt confident out there," he said of his eight-frame performance, one in which he scattered six hits and an earned run (without a walk)  ...  "The most effective pitch I threw, obviously, was the fastball inside. The more you hit that inside corner, the more it makes it easier to open up the outer half. "After they scored that run, I just kept chugging along. I always thought that we’d get things going (offensively), but that’s just the nature of this game. You have to deal with one-run defeats."   ...  Skipper Ron Johnson was also pleased with the 89-pitch outing, one that followed an inauspicious performance in a 10-2 loss at Ottawa back on July 16. "Jon did a nice job out there," he stated. "He had a good outing (in his debut on July 7, when Papelbon allowed three hits and whiffed seven in a six-inning stint of a 7-3 loss to the Lynx at McCoy), then scuffled in the next one. He’s a power pitcher, and I liked the command of his fastball and moving it inside and out. When you have control of the fastball, that’s when you can mix in the off-speed stuff like the curveball, the slider and splitter. That will make the hitters more off-balance and makes you more efficient."  (Pawtucket Times)

   WAS 3B prospect Kory Casto on a mid-summer surge, .462 in July in 67 ABs :

"  ...    Casto simply attributes his streak to staying composed. “I’m being more consistent, going up every at-bat with the same approach,” he said. “I found something that’s working and I’m sticking to it.” Casto, who is ranked ninth among Washington Nationals prospects, according to Baseball America, hit four home runs during a recent series against the Salem Avalanche, including a walk-off home run in the 10th inning on Monday. “He seems to be one of those guys that hits home runs in spurts.” Nationals manager Bob Henley said. “When he gets going he’s fun to watch. He can really hurt you.” Casto reached his home run total from last season on July 19, hitting his 16th  ...   next day he exceeded his personal record, hitting his 17th  ...   “When everything is going good it’s easy to forget about mechanics. But mechanics are something you can’t forget about. I’ve shortened my swing, and I’m being more consistent,” Casto explained  ...   named the league’s player of the week twice - once in May and once in July."  (Potomac News)


23 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Edwin Encarnacion 3B CIN 2-3, R, HBP  ...  Scott Thorman 1B ATL 2-3, BB  ...  Roman Colon ATL 5 5 2 2 2 4, 2.57  ...  Shane Victorino CF PHI 2-4, 2B, R, RBI, BB  ...  Gabe Gross RF TOR 2-5, 4th HR, R, 2 RBI  ...  rehab, Corey Koskie 3B TOR 0-4  ...  B.J. Upton SS TB 1-4, 1 error  ...  Delmon Young RF TB 2-4, 2nd HR, R, RBI  ...  Chris Seddon TB 3-1/3 7 8 7 1 1, 6.62  ...  Ryan Raburn DH DET 2-5, R, RBI  ...  Carlos Pena 1B DET 2-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI  ...  Marcus Thames RF DET 1-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI  ...  Kenny Baugh DET 5-2/3 9 4 4 2 1, 3.36  ...  Brian Tallet CLE 4 8 7 6 2 4, 4.47  ...  Kevin Youkilis 3B BOS 2-4, 2B, R, 3 RBI, SF  ...  Lenny DiNardo BOS 6 8 3 3 2 3, 3.32  ...  Brandon McCarthy CHA 6 4 2 1 1 8,5.06  ...  Chris Heintz DH MIN 2-4, R, 2 RBI

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Adrian Gonzalez 1B TEX 3-4, 2 doubles, .316  ...  Jason Botts TEX 1-4, 19th homer, .293  ...  Corey Patterson CHN 0-4, .222  ...  Brian Tollberg, making a comeback in the HOU system, 7 1 0 0 1 5  ...  Clint Nageotte SEA 2 0 0 0 1 3  ...  Alberto Callaspo ANA 1-4, .219  ...   Matt Watson OAK 3-4, 2 homers (13), .312

EASTERN (AA)  --  Hanley Ramirez SS BOS 0-3, .268 AVG  ...  David Espinosa OF DET 2-4, HR (8), RBI (34), .301 AVG … Mike Jacobs 1B NYN 2-4, 3B (2), RBI (67), .318 AVG … Aaron Baldris 3B NYN 0-4, .276 AVG … Lastings Miledge OF NYN 2-4, 2 SB (5), 2B (9), 2 RBI (4), .441 AVG … Paul Bonifay 1B PIT 3-3, 2B (13), HR (18), RBI (51), .282 AVG … Alexander Romero OF MIN 4-5, 2B (22), 3 RBI (55), .295 AVG … Ryan Zimmerman 3B WAS 3-5, 2B (7), .267 AVG … Chip Cannon 1B TOR 0-3, .238 AVG … Curtis Thigpen C TOR 2-4, .316 AVG … Anibal Sanchez BOS 7 3 0 0 2 11, W, 1.23 ERA … Ismael Ramirez TOR 6-2/3 8 2 2 0 7, 4.13 ERA … Yusmerio Petit NYN 9 5 2 2 0 7, W (5), 2.83 ERA … Richard Rundles WAS 6-1/3 6 4 1 0 3, W (6), 3.55 ERA … Matt Peterson PIT 6 7 4 4 2 3, 6.11 ERA … Brian Burres SF 1-2/3 7 7 7 3 1, 3.73 ERA … Jeremy Sowers CLE 6-2/3 7 3 3 0 6, 2.04 ERA

SOUTHERN (AA) --  D'Angelo Jimenez SS CIN 1-4, solo HR, .272  ...  Josh Hall CIN 7 7 4 4 0 4 .  ...  Bubba Nelson CIN 1.1 3 2 2 1 2, 3.81 (L, 2nd BS) now 2-3  ...  Dan Uggla 2B AZ 2-4, 12th HR, 3 RBI, .330  ...  Miguel Montero C AZ 2-4, RBI, .310  ...   Jesus Cota 1B AZ 0-3, .260  ...  Jon Zeringue OF AZ 2-4, 2B, RBI, 8th SB, . 267  ...  Jamie D'Antona 3B AZ 0-3 .253  ...   Marland Williams OF AZ 1-4, RBI, .234  ...  Mr. Jenny Finch AZ 1 1 0 0 1 0, 2.59 (W) now 6-0  ...  Jax/Car 5 innings due to rain  ...  Russell Martin C LA 0-3, .306  ...  Andy LaRoche 3B LA 1-2, RBI, .282  ...  James Loney 1B LA 0-2, .283  ...  Joel Guzman SS LA (hitting 7th) 0-2, 4th SB, .284  ...  Edwin Jackson LA oy vey 4 9 6 5 2 2, 4.11 (L) now 3-3  ...  Robert Andino SS FLA 1-3, RBI, .275  ...   Jeremy Hermida OF FLA 2-2, 2B, RBI, .301  ...  Reggie Abercrombie OF FLA 2-2, 3B, .283  ...  Anthony Gwynn OF MIL 2-5, 2B, RBI .266  ...   Brad Nelson OF MIL 0-3, .325  ...  Casey Rogowski 1B CHA 1-5, .324  ...  Josh Fields 3B CHA 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, .252  ...   Ryan Sweeney OF CHA 0-4, .278  ...  Ryan Meaux CHA 3 1 0 0 1 2, 2.66 (W) now 5-2  ...  Sean Thompson SD 6 4 2 1 3 3, 4.10  ...   Josh Burrus OF ATL 0-4, RBI, .244  ...  Gregor Blanco OF ATL 1-4, .231  ...  Luis Hernandez SS ATL 0-3, .223  ...   Luis Montanez OF CHN 3-5, 2 2B, 8th HR, 2 RBI, .231  ...  Brandon Sing 1B CHN 3-4, 2 HR (20), 3 RBI, .298  ...  Ricky Nolasco CHN 5 8 5 5 2 7 3, 3.43  ...  Elliott Johnson 2B TAM 3-5, 2B, 37th SB, .306  ...  Wes Bankston 1B TAM 1-4, 10th HR, RBI, .308  ...  Gaby Martinez OF TAM 0-4, 2 K's, .221

TEXAS (AA)  --  Andre Ethier OAK 3-4, 2R, HR(14), RBI(56), .332  ...  Brian Stavisky OAK 2-4, R, RBI(58), .303  ...  Casey Myers (C) OAK 3-4, R, 2B, RBI(26), .346  ...  Daric Barton OAK 3-4, 2R, 2R, 2B, HR(2), 3RBI(12), .340  ...  Jason Windsor OAK (W 3-3) 6 8 3 3 2 4 (3.83)  ...  Jason Hirsh HOU (L,8-8) 4 6 5 4 1 4 (3.22)  ...  Joaquin Arias TX 2-4, 2B, RBI(37), .305  ...  Steven Shell ANA (W,7-7) 5-1/3 2 2 2 5 7 (4.40)  ...  Tyler Minges STL 2-3, 3R, HR(17), RBI(54), .311

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Nate Schierholtz SF 3-4, 10th homer, 5 RBI, .319  ...  Chris Carter ARZ OF 2-3, 21st homer, .310  ...  Seth Smith COL 2-5, 2 doubles (36), .307  ...  Ian Stewart COL 2-5, 18th double, .274  ...  Troy Tulowitzki SS COL 1-4, double, .261  ...  Kevin Mahar CF TEX, leadoff, 3-5, 15th homer, .337

CAROLINA (A+) --  Jeff Fiorentino BAL 2-5, 2 R, .276  ...  Mario Delgado BAL 2-4, 2 R, double, HR (18), 4 RBI (54), .325  ...  Nick Markakis BAL 2-4, R, HR (11), 2 RBI (56), K, .295  ...  Matt Esquivel ATL 1-4, double (23), RBI (65), BB, K, .284  ...  Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 2-5, R, double (23), 2 K, .298  ...  Robert Valido CHA 0-4, BB, K, .297  ...  Micah Schnurstein CHA 0-4, K, .285  ...  Thomas Collaro CHA 2-4, double, 2 RBI (70), K, .270  ...  Lance Broadway CHA 5 5 3 3 3 6 (3.52)

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Carlos Villanueva MIL 7 4 1 1 1 10, 2.00  ...  Anthony Swarzak MIN 5 11 4 4 0  ...   Chuck Tiffany LA 6 4 1 1 1 11, 3.23 (29 walks, 103 Ks in 86 2/3s)

MIDWEST (A) --  injury, or just a shelling? Jair Jurrjens DET 1 4 3 3 2 2  ...  Reid Brignac TB 1-5 (.259)  ...  Kyle Waldrop MIN 4 10 6 6 1 3 (4.97)  ...  still progressing Trevor Plouffe MIN 2-4, but 26th error (.235)  ...  Michael Collins ANA 2-4  ...  ugh Matt Bush SD 0-4, 31st E  ...  Cliff Pennington OAK 0-4 (.272)  ...  Ian Gac TEX 1-5, 2 K's  ...  Oswaldo Navarro SEA 2-4, 19th double (.269)  ...  A.J. Wideman TOR 5 6 2 2 1 5 (4.83)  ...  Ryan Harvey CHN 22nd double

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Travis Denker LA 3-3, 2 runs & 2-4, homer, 2 RBI   ...   Scott Elbert LA 7 3 0 0 1 6, (W, 5-5), 3.23   ...   Brad Davis FLA 3-4, double, 2 RBI   ...   Taylor Tankersley FLA 6 4 2 2 3 5, 3.65   ...   It's been a while; Hunter Pence HOU 1-4, solo homer (25th)   ...   Ambiorix Concepcion NYN 3-6, solo homer, 3 runs   ...   Hernan Iribarren MIL 3-5, double, 2 runs


NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Ryan Patterson LF TOR 1-4, RBI, K  ...  Pete Sellers 3B HOU 2-4, HR, 2RBI, BB  ...  Nick Evans 1B NYM 3-5, 2HR, 6RBI, K  ...  Waner Mateo NYM 5 7 1 1 2 5  ...  Steve Pearce 1B PIT 2-5, 2B, 3RBI  ...  Nolan Reimold RF BAL 1-4, R, 2B, BB  ...  Keith Reed DH BAL 3-5, HR, 4RBI  ...  Tyler Greene SS STL 4-6, R, 2 2B, 4RBI, 2 K, E  ...  Jon Poterson RF NYY 1-5  ...  Jacoby Ellsbury CF BOS 0-3, R, BB, 2K, SB (9)  ...  Jed Lowrie 2B BOS 2-3, 2R, HR, 3RBI, K  ...  Luis Soto RF BOS 2-4, 2RBI  ...  Ryan Phillips BOS 2.2 5 3 3 3 2  ...  Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 1-4, HR, K, E (11)  ...  Jeremy Slayden LF PHI 1-3, R, 2B, BB, K  ...  Scott Mitchinson PHI 7 7 5 2 2 6  ...  Wade Townsend TB 2 0 0 0 1 1  ...  Ricky Romero TOR 1st rounder, pro debut, 2 2 0 0 1 2

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Darin Downs CHN 6 4 1 1 0 5, 2.16  ...  Chase Headley 3B SD 3-5, 2 doubles, 4 RBI, .286   ...  Jeffrey Flaig 1B SEA 2-5, homer, .333  ...  Pablo Sandoval 3B SF 3-4, .328  ...  OAK 1st rounder OF Travis Buck 2-4, walk, .412

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  3B Eric Campbell ATL 3-3, 3 doubles, 4 runs  ...  Ryan Mullins MIN 6 1 2 1 2 9, 1.95

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  Jason Neighborgall ARZ, 1 1 4 0 2 2, HB, WP  ...  CF Charlie Fermaint MIL, leadoff,  3-5, 6th double, 8th homer, .346

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  lefty Travis Wood CIN, 2nd rounder, 3 2 0 0 1 6, 17 2/3s scoreless innings to begin his pro career, 5 walks, 31 Ks  ...  SS Audy Ciriaco DET 1-5, 5th homer  ...  SS Elvis Andrus ATL 2-3, double, .322  ...  Junior Contreras 1B NYN 2-2, walk, 3rd homer, .357

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Jorge Campillo SEA, getting closer to getting a look, 5 3 0 0 0 8  ...   an interesting addition to the Cubs' roster, Nomar Garciaparra at SS, 1-2  ...  Dean Zorn SEA, yet another SS, 3-5  ...  Patrick Phillips ANA, back at SS, 2-4, 2-4, 2 RBI, 8th SB, 7th error, .352  ...  two OAK 2nd rounders making their pro debuts,  Craig Italiano 1 0 0 0 0 1, Jared Lansford 1.0 0 0 0 0 2

  Troop Movements  ...   DET - Placido Polanco DL, Curtis Granderson up, Doug Creek designated for assignment, acquired John McDonald from TOR for PTNBL  ...  CHA - Frank Thomas DL, Ross Gload activated  ...  STL - Scott Rolen DL, Scott Seabol up  ...  TB - activated Jesus Colome from DL, Lance Carter to AAA, Pete LaForest up, Kevin Cash to AAA   ...   SF - Edgardo Alfonzo activated from DL, Adam Shabala to AAA  ...  ARZ - Armando Almanza outright to AAA  ...  PIT - Paul Maholm promoted to AAA :

"  ...  Maholm, the Pirates' 1st round selection (8th overall) in the 2003 June draft, opened the season with the Curve and went on to post a 6-2 record and 3.20 ERA in 16 starts. The 23-year old left-hander also represented the Curve and Pittsburgh Pirates' organization Major League Baseball's All-Star Futures Game."  (Altoona Curve)

    Scott Rex, OnDeck, has begun to update his league-by-league prospect charts.  Three Rangers in the top four in the Texas League !

 1. Thomas Diamond, RHP, Rangers       6. Andre Ethier, OF, Athletics
 2. John Danks, LHP, Rangers           7. Justin Huber, 1B, Royals
 3. Daric Barton, 1B, Athletics        8. Howie Kendrick, 2B, Angels
 4. Edison Volquez, RHP, Rangers       9. Adam Jones, SS, Mariners
 5. Chris Lambert, RHP, Cardinals     10. Kendry Morales, 1B, Angels

    A major roadblock in the way of a triple crown for PHI's Randy Ruiz :

"  ...  suspended 30 games for his second violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program  ...  The 27-year-old Ruiz is playing at the Double-A level for the first time in his career since signing as a non-drafted free agent with the Cincinnati in 1999. Now with his fourth team in three years, he was leading the Eastern League in average (.356), home runs (25) and RBIs (84), despite missing the first two weeks of the season due to his first suspension."  (MLB.com)

    Wrist injury keeps Dustin Pedroia from a BOS callup :

"  ...  Pedroia missed eight games, then attempted to play through the pain before he was sidelined again  ...   will attempt to take batting practice today, but he doesn't want to force it  ...    manager Ron Johnson talked with the young prospect about getting past that he missed an opportunity to go to the majors. The skipper reminded Pedroia that he's only been playing pro ball for one year; other opportunities will come. For the first time in a long time, the PawSox are loaded with prospects and Pedroia is near the head of the class. Major league scouts have given him high ratings in each category and he has surprised some with his relentless style. "The intensity is going to be there everyday with me," said Pedroia. "I'm going to play like it is Game 7 of the World Series. That's how I was brought up and how I was taught to play. That's the way the game should be played. I know [it's a long season] but you have to maintain that intensity if you're going to win a lot of games. That's what this organization wants and that's what I'm all about." Pedroia runs everything out. He's the first one on the field and the first one off during a game  ...  Johnson compares Pedroia to one of the all-time work horses -- Lenny Dykstra  ...   "He's the total baseball package with great strength," added Johnson. "He's got the right feel for this game and you could see that in him at a very early stage of his career."  (Providence Journal-Bulletin)

    Juan Cruz-ing.

"  ...  Since Cruz was demoted by Oakland - with an 0-2 record and an 8.49 ERA - he has struck out 50 batters in 35 innings. The six shutout innings Thursday lowered his ERA to 1.54. "He's dominating the league down here," River Cats manager Tony DeFrancesco said. "No doubt about it." Even when Cruz lost his control and got into trouble, he impressed. He walked Bobby Scales, hit Ben Johnson and walked Jon Knott to load the bases in the sixth inning, essentially handing the Beavers their first run-scoring threat. But Cruz responded with back-to-back strikeouts to escape the jam. And after each one - a full-count fastball to J.J. Furmaniak and a 1-2 curve to Greg Sain - Cruz accentuated his effort with an emphatic fist pump. "When he got in that jam, he turned things up a notch," DeFrancesco said. "He still had something left in the sixth inning."  (Sacramento Bee)

   Eli Iorg, HOU first rounder in June, just about ready to debut :

"  ...  Iorg, 22, went to Samford and transferred after one year to UT. He was instrumental in the Vols reaching the College World Series in June. The right fielder batted .381 with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs and led the Vols with 27 stolen bases  ...   has yet to make his debut because he is not fully recovered from the stress fracture in his leg he sustained near the end of the college season. Iorg took batting practice, threw from the outfield and ran the bases in drills without a limp. "I'm DH'ing Saturday," he said. "I can't wait. DH'ing isn't fun, but right now it'll be like Christmas. I'm excited."  (Knoxville News-Sentinel)

   Cards' first rounder making a good first impression. 

"  ...  So often, the real thing never matches the hype. That wasn't the case Thursday night when  ...   Mark McCormick made his Swing of the Quad Cities debut. McCormick was the real deal and more. In 5 2/3 innings, the hard-throwing right hander allowed just four hits (two infield choppers, a pop fly that dropped into center and a misplayed flyball to right) and no runs before departing with a no-decision when he hit his pitch count of 70 to 75  ...  McCormick wound up throwing 72 pitches, 45 for strikes, after overcoming a bit of a shaky first inning in which he walked two Wizards. He walked just one more the rest of the way with a smoking fastball that was popping catcher Spencer Wyman's glove in the mid- to upper-90s even as he threw his final pitch. "He was pretty impressive, no doubt," QC manager Joe Cunningham said. "He has a good arm. His fastball is lively. He throws it effortlessly. That young man has a great future."  (Quad-Cities Online)

   Brad Eldred PIT, lots of ABs promised :

"  ...  "[Eldred is] not going to sit," McClendon said. "He's certainly part of the future. For him to get a taste of the big leagues, it just makes sense."  ...  general manager Dave Littlefield  ...  "We're in a situation where we're struggling offensively, and we want to give him an opportunity to swing the bat at a big-league level, see what he can do." During Eldred's ascent through the minors, he's developed a trend of starting slowly at every level, then blossoming into a premier power hitter  ...  "His power's in a rare group," Indianapolis manager Trent Jewett said. "He's somebody who excites you when he comes to the plate. There's not a handful of players that have the raw, natural strength that Brad has. He might be in the top 1 percent in baseball strength-wise. He's just gifted in that regard  ...   "He's as strong as they come," said Hensley Meulens, the Indianapolis hitting instructor  ...   "He's a legitimate power prospect," Meulens said. "He hits with power to all fields. Imagine if he learned the strike zone and learned to put the fat part of the bat on the ball. He'd be deadly. But he's got a little ways to go."   (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

   KC Star with an update on the best hitting prospects in the system :

"  ...  1. OF Billy Butler  ...   Showing signs of impatience with 25 strikeouts and five walks in last 19 games after having 46 strikeouts and 32 walks in first 59 games  ...  2. 1B Justin Huber  ...   Promotion to Omaha imminent, is 21 for 48 with 16 RBIs in 13 games since being optioned to minors  ...  3. SS Jeff Bianchi  ...  Missed last two games because of minor back strain, was hitless in last game after going 18 for 43 in 12-game hitting streak."

   Miguel Montero zooming up the charts and now just a step or two from a trial in ARZ :

"  ...   wasn't among the Arizona Diamondbacks' top 10 prospects when the season started. But his stock has gone through the roof after half a season at Lancaster in the Class A California League. He batted .349 for the JetHawks with 24 home runs and 82 RBIs in 85 games. "It's been a pretty good year so far," Montero said. "I think the key is maturity." The five-year pro from Caracas, Venezuela, looked comfortable behind the plate against the Lookouts handling Adam Bass. He blocked a split-finger pitch in the dirt, but he didn't get a chance to show off his arm. Perezchica says Montero will be solid when tested. "He's an average-to-above average defensive guy," Perezchica said. "He's got a plus arm." There's still room for improvement. "His biggest thing is refining everything," Perezchica said. "He's still young and he is going to get better."  ...  The Diamondbacks are waiting on Montero, who turned 22 earlier this month. "His biggest thing is learning to call a game on a consistent basis, which he is doing now," Perezchica said. "He's got the bat to play in the big leagues." And hitting from the left side of the plate is a bonus for the 5-foot-11, 200-pound Montero. "He is something special and we know that," Perezchica said. "He's a major league prospect."  (Knoxville News-Sentinel)


22 July 2005

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Edwin Encarnacion 3B CIN 2-4, 2B, RBI  ...  Andy Marte 3B ATL 1-3, 14th HR, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB  ...  Scott Thorman 1B ATL 2-5, R, RBI  ...  Zach Minor ATL 4 6 3 3 2 2, 4.23  ...  Carlos Ruiz C PHI 2-6, 3B, R  ...  Shane Victorino CF PHI 2-5, 14th HR, 2 R, RBI, SB, HBP  ...  John-Ford Griffin LF TOR 2-4, 22nd HR, R, 3 RBI, BB  ...  rehab, Corey Koskie 3B TOR 1-5  ...  Shawn Marcum TOR 6 6 5 5 3 6, 5.73  ...  B.J. Upton SS TB 2-5, 3B, 2 RBI, 0 errors  ...  Curtis Granderson CF DET 3-5, 2B, 3B, R, RBI, BB  ...  Ryan Raburn DH DET 2-5, 14th HR, R, 2 RBI  ...  Carlos Pena 1B DET 1-4, 9th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, HBP  ...  Marcus Thames LF DET 1-5, R  ...  Kazuhito Tadano CLE 6 8 2 2 0 5, 4.43  ...  Jon Papelbon BOS 8 6 1 1 0 3, 4.08  ...  Brad Eldred 1B PIT 2-3, 2B, R, RBI  ...  Jae Seo NYN 6-1/3 6 3 3 2 3, 4.14  ...  Brian Anderson CF CHA 2-4, RBI, BB  ...  Felix Diaz CHA 5 9 5 4 0 4 5.62  ...  Kevin Thompson LF NYA 2-4, 2B, R  ...  Sean Henn NYA 7 5 1 1 2 5, 2.82  ...  Terry Tiffee DH MIN 3-5, R, RBI  ...  Chris Heintz C MIN 3-5, 7th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI  ...  Dave Gassner MIN 6 9 4 4 2 4, 4.51

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Bobby Livingston SEA, 5 3 1 1 1 6  ...  Felix Hernandez SEA 3 2 1 0 1 4, 2.45  ...  Ian Kinsler TEX 1-4, 17th homer  ...  Nelson Cruz OF MIL 2-4, homer, .397  ...  Ryan Shealy COL 4-5, 2 doubles (24), .333  ...  Matt Cain SF, better, 7 5 2 1 2 5  ...  Todd Linden SF 2-4, 24th homer, .348  ...  Casey Kotchman ANA 3-5, 2 doubles, walk, .274  ...  Juan Cruz OAK 6 2 0 0 3 5, 1.54

EASTERN (AA)  --  No games.

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Casey Rogowski 1B CHA 2-4, 2B, BB, run, .325  ...  Josh Fields 3B CHA 1-4, 2B, BB .248  ...  Ryan Sweeney OF CHA 3-4, 2B, run, .282  ...  Delwyn Young OF LA 0-3, 2 K's .289  ...  Andy LaRoche 3B LA 0-3, K, .277  ...  James Loney 1B LA 3-4, 2B, .285  ...  Russell Martin C LA 0-3, 2 K's, .310  ...  Joel Guzman SS LA 1-3, RBI .285  ...  Joel Hanrahan LA 6 6 3 2 2 4, 5.13 (W) now 5-6  ...  Jonathan Broxton LA 1 1 0 0 1 1 4th save, 3.40  ...  Robert Andino SS FLA 0-4 .275  ...   Jeremy Hermida OF FLA 1-3, BB, .297  ...  Reggie Abercrombie OF FLA 0-2, BB .250  ...  Ray Aguilar FLA 8 2 1 1 3 3 1, 2.02 (W) now 3-0  ...   D'Angelo Jimenez SS CIN 1-3, BB, .273  ...  Ben Kozlowski CIN 7 6 2 1 2 4, 4.04 (L), now 4-4  ...  Elliott Johnson 2B TAM 1-4, RBI, 36th SB, .291  ...   Elijah Dukes OF TAM 2-5, run, RBI, .296  ...  Shawn Riggans C TAM 1-4, .274  ...  Gaby Martinez 1B TAM 3-5, 2 runs, RBI, .225  ...   Josh Burrus OF ATL 1-3, run, RBI, 2 BB, 29th SB,.268  ...  Gregor Blanco OF ATL 0-2, 2 BB, 17th and 18th SB, .23  ...   Carlos Duran OF ATL 1-3, run, .284  ...  Luis Hernandez SS ATL 0-4, 2 runs, RBI, .226  ...  Noochie Varner OF AZ 0-2, .291  ...   Dan Uggla 2B AZ 0-2, BB, RBI, .328  ...  Miguel Montero C AZ 0-3, BB, .280  ...  Jon Zeringue OF AZ 0-4, .264  ...   Jamie D'Antona 3B AZ 1-4, .255  ...  Marland Williams OF AZ 1-4, solo HR (5th), .234  ...  Tony Pena AZ CG/SO 9 2 0 0 0 5, 4.37, now 5-8  ...   Brandon Sing 1B CHN 0-3, .292  ...  Luis Montanez OF CHN 1-3, 2B, .143  ...  Reynel Pinto CHN 7 7 4 4 2 3 1 2.32 (L) now 5-2  ...   Anthony Gwynn OF MIL 0-4, .264  ...  Brad Nelson OF MIL 0-4, 2 K's, .338  ...  Ty Taubenheim MIL 7 5 3 3 2 10, 5.40  ...   Paul McAnulty 1B SD 1-4, .279

TEXAS (AA)  --  Brian Stavisky OAK 2-4, 2R, 2B, 3B, .301  ...  Jason Perry (DH) OAK 3-4, 2R, 2B, HR(18), 3RBI(58), .270  ...  TJ Bohn SEA 3-6, 2B, SB(26), .316  ...  Ruddy Yan TX 3-6, RBI(27), SB(25), .310  ...  John Danks TX 5 6 2 2 2 5 (4.80)  ...  Sandy Nin COL (W,5-5) 8 5 2 1 1 6 (3.38)  ...  Justin Huber KC 2-4, .350  ...  Tyler Minges STL 2-4, R, .308

CALIFORNIA (A+) -- Kevin Melillo 2B OAK 3-4, 25th double, 15th homer, .313 (combined MW/CAL stats)   ...  Francisco Leandro TB 5-7, double, homer, 3 RBI, .327  ...   Jered Weaver ANA, best pro effort, 7 1 0 0 2 10 :

"  ...  Weaver (4-1) won his fourth straight start, limiting the 66ers to a second-inning double by Wladimir Balentien. The 22-year-old right-hander walked two and retired 16 of the last 17 batters he faced  ...  . During his winning streak, Weaver has a 1.52 ERA. He has given up just eight hits and four walks while striking out 36 in 23 2/3 innings."  (MLB.com)

CAROLINA (A+) --  Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 0-3, BB  ...  Jake Stevens ATL (W, 6-7, 4.19) 6 4 0 0 4 5  ...  Dustin Yount BAL 4-5, 2 R, 2 RBI  ...  Mario Delgado BAL 3-5, 2 R, HR (17), 3 RBI (50), K  ...  Nick Markakis BAL 1-5, K  ...  Stephen Head CLE 0-3, BB  ...  really struggling  ...  Ryan Goleski CLE 0-3, BB, 2 K, only .218  ...  Ryan Finch BAL (W, 7-6, 3.59) 7 7 3 3 2 6  ...  Adam Miller CLE (L, 1-2, 5.03) 3 9 7 7 0 5  ...  Thomas Collaro CHA 2-3, double, K  ...  Kory Casto WAS 2-4, R, HR (18), 2 RBI (69), 2 BB

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Guillermo Quiroz TOR 2-4, double  ...  Gaby Hernandez NYN, fitting in nicely in A+,  6 4 0 0 0 4

MIDWEST (A) --  Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 1-3, BB, K (.315)  ...  Ryan Harvey CHN 17th HR (.262)  ...  David Winfree MIN 2-5  ...  Michael Collins ANA 2-4, 17th double  ...  full-season debut for Baylor star Mark McCormick STL 5 2/3 4 0 0 3 1  ...  Matt Bush SD 2-4, BB (.231)  ...  Javier Herrera OAK 0-4  ...  Cliff Pennington OAK 0-4, 2 K's  ...  Eric Hurley TEX 4 5 3 3 2 3 (3.90)  ...  Matt Tuiasosopo SEA 0-2, BB (.288)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Jeff Corsaletti BOS 1-3, double, 2 runs, 2 walks  ...  Justin Towles C HOU 2-4, solo homer, 2 runs, .419  ...  Ambiorix Concepcion NYN 1-5, homer, 2 RBI, 3K  ...  Chuck Lofgren CLE 5 3 2 1 3 8, 2.31, good game for the 19 year old  ...  Jason Jaramillo PHI 3-5, triple, 3 runs


NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Matt Cobb TB 5 5 3 1 0 4  ...  James Deters CLE 5 4 1 1 2 5  ...  Wladimir Sutil SS HOU 2-4, K, CS  ...  James Boone DH PIT 1-2  ...  Joe Bauserman PIT 7 2 0 0 3 3  ...  Tyler Greene SS STL 1-3, R, BB, K  ...  Cory Patton RF TOR 1-4, 2B, 2B, RBI, 2K  ...  Ryan Patterson DH TOR 0-2, 2BB  ...  Blake Hawksworth STL 3 3 4 4 2 3  ...  Mike Costanzo 3B PHI 1-4, R, RBI, BB, K (.186, eesh)  ...  Jeremy Slayden LF 2-4, R, 2B, 2RBI, K  ...  Jacoby Ellsbury CF BOS 1-5, RBI, K, 2SB  ...  Gabe Kapler DH BOS (Boston women rejoicing as Gabe the Babe is on the comeback trail - no, seriously, they are) 0-4, R, BB, K  ...  Jed Lowrie 2B BOS 1-3, R, BB, K, SB  ...  Luis Soto RF BOS 2-3, R, 2RBI, BB  ...  Clay Buchholz BOS 3 1 1 1 0 4  ...  Francisco Guerrero 2B BAL 3-5, 2RBI, K  ...  Nolan Reimold CF BAL 1-5, R, 2K  ...  Kris Harvey RF FLA 2-4, R, BB, K  ...  Jon Poterson RF NYY 1-4, K  ...  Lance Pendleton NYY 3 6 3 1 3 0  ...   Caleb Stewart DH NYM 3-6, 2R, 2B, 3B, HR, 5RBI, K  ...  Will Rhymes DH DET 4-7, 2R

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  Davy Gregg CF CHN, leadoff, 4-5, double, homer, 4 RBI, .325  ...  Lizahio Baez catcher TEX 3-5, double, 2 homers  ...  John Mayberry TEX OF 2-5, homer, .216  ...  Sergio Romo SF 6 5 0 0 0 3, 0.72  ...   James Shull OAK 5 2 0 0 0 4, 1.37 (24 Ks, 1 BB in 19 2/3s)

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  Koby Clemens 3B HOU 2-4, SB  ...  Eric Campbell ATL 3B 3-5, 2 doubles, triple  ...  Jung Ji Cho ATL 6 3 0 0 0 7, 0.73 (5 BB, 32 Ks in 24 2/3s)

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  SS Corey Wimberly Col 2-4, CS(6)  ...  CF Dexter Fowler Col 1-3, RBI, SO, SB(6)  ...  C Fransico Hernandez CWS 1-3, HR(3), 2RBI, BB  ...  P Paul Moviel CWS 7.0 5 1 0 1 8 (3.21)  ...  2b Gary Perez KC 3-4, HR(1), SO  ...  P Jeffrey Stevens Cin 6.0 2 1 1 0 8 (4.12)  ...  2b Jesus Soto LAD 3-3, HR(4), RBI, BB, 2SB(7)  ...  1b David Sutherland LAD 1-4, 2b, SO  ...  much better P Stephen Marek LAA 5.0 4 1 1 1 7 (4.50)  ...  C Angel Salome Mil 3-5, 2R, RBI, 2 2b, (.440), 11th PB

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Ivan Dejesus SS LA 4-4, RBI, .360  ...  SS Elvis Andrus ATL 2-4, .310  ...  Bubba Bell OF BOS 3-5, 3 RBI, .329  ...  SS Andrew Thompson MIN 2-3, 2nd homer, 3 walks, 3 RBI, 5 runs, .379  ...  CJ Henry NYA, at leadoff, 2-4, 3rd homer, walk, .250  ...  Angel Fermin NYA 1B 4-4, 2 doubles (8)  ...  3B Johan Figuereo WAS 4-5, homer, 3 RBI, .278

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  remember Tim Crabtree TEX?, 2 5 2 2 0 0  ...  Ryan Anderson MIL, steps down to the ASL after a 6.30 ERA in 10 innings in the FSL, 1-2/3 0 1 0 1 2  ...  Lorenzo Cain OF MIL 3-4, 2 RBI, .316  ...  3B Jose Jimenez MIL 3-4, triple, .348  ...  Roberto Valiente OF TEX 3-3, walk, .400  ...   Nick Adernhart ANA 3 5 4 3 3 2  ...  Patrick Phillips ANA, now at 3B, 2-4, double, 4 RBI, .345  ...  Abel Nieves the Angels latest SS, 2-2, 2 walks, 2 runs in pro debut

  Troop Movements  ...   PHI - Clay Condrey up, Danny Sandoval to AAA  ...  ATL - traded Kevin Gryboski to TEX for Matt Lorenzo, recalled Macay McBride  ...  TEX - claimed James Baldwin off waivers, C.J. Wilson to AA   ...  PIT - Brad Eldred up, Bobby Hill to AAA  ...  ARZ - traded Matt Kata to PHI for Tim Worrell  ... 

    Matthew Pouliot, RotoWorld.com, offers a major update to his prospect 150 -- Felix Hernandez, Delmon Young, Daric Barton 1-2-3.  A few of the lesser lights :

"  ...  18. Felix Pie  ...  might already be patrolling center field for the Cubs if not for an ankle injury that has cost him a month. All things considered, the injury was probably well timed, as Pie is a year away from being ready for the majors. As long as he strikes out three times for every walk, he’s not going to be an upgrade over Corey Patterson. Pie has Johnny Damon-like potential, and he might even have enough power to be a No. 3 hitter in his prime."

"  ...  20. Edwin Encarnacion  ...   could be up for good within a couple of weeks, assuming that Joe Randa is traded. A potential .280 hitter with 20-25 homer ability, the 22-year-old should develop into an above average regular. His defense is rough, but he’ll be a fine third baseman in time. Mike Lowell would seem to be his upside."

"  ...  32. Jeff Mathis  ...  Perhaps 2004’s biggest disappointment, Mathis has bounced back nicely, raising his OPS by about 160 points from where he finished in Double-A. Catchers tend not to develop offensively like other prospects, but in three of his four full pro seasons, Mathis has hit well while being young for his leagues. He’s an above average defensive catcher, so he’s going to be a major league regular. The when is harder to judge."

Justin Upton and the 2005 draftees were not eligible for the list, but if they had been, Matthew says Upton would have placed 20th, Alex Gordon 40th, Mike Pelfrey 105th.

    Bryan Smith completes his revised Top 75 at Baseball Analysts - Delmon Young, Felix Hernandez, Andy Marte 1-2-3.  And, some others :

"  ...  28. Brian Anderson  ...  has gone about his business this year, and proven he's pretty much ready for the Majors. Saying Chris Young is the club's top outfield prospect is negligent, because Anderson has done nothing to lose the title. How the White Sox will solve their OF situation in the next two years is about as interesting as the middle infield depth problems in Seattle and Anaheim."

"  ...  22. Francisco Liriano  ...  My readers know I think the world of Liriano, and I believe he could make a K-Rodish difference in September. If the Twins can get any sort of haul for J.C. Romero they should do it, and break in Liriano in high pressure situations this fall."

"  ...  15. Yusmeiro Petit  ...  While the home run rate might be concerning with a different player, Petit nullifies that worry with his control. His pitchability is the best of any player on this list, and the only flaw in my mind is that he's been a bit too hittable. Won't be a Major League ace, but will be just fine sitting next to Pedro in the rotation."

"  ...  7. Billy Butler  ...   When the only knock you can find on a young player is the environment in which he plays, you are nitpicking. Butler, no matter the position, has the makings of becoming a future batting and home run champion. Jim Thome comparisons still apply, as I believe that Butler will still end up at first base. If it is left field, how about Carlos Lee? Just a wonderful pick by the Royals last year ... wonderful."

    Edison Volquez TEX on the shelf :

"  ...  Rangers manager Buck Showalter said  ...  team trainers told him Volquez's injury was a strained left oblique muscle. Frisco manager Darryl Kennedy said it was nothing serious and that Volquez's removal was "more or less on the precautionary side." Volquez's name has been mentioned in potential trades, but his injury – if it's more serious than the team thought – could affect any moves the Rangers try to make as the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline approaches. Volquez was throwing 94-mph fastballs before he departed with two outs in the fourth inning. He tossed only 59 pitches."  (Dallas Morning News)

   Tidbits from the weekly report from the International League :

"  ...  Last week's International League Batter-of-the-Week Brian Anderson has again stepped up his play. He has helped the Knights win 6 of their last 7 games and has raised his batting average to the .300 mark. Anderson has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games and has hit 4 home runs and driven in 7 runs during that time. On the season Anderson is now batting .300 on the dot (106-353) while driving in a team high 48 runs and is currently in 3rd place on the Knights with 15 home runs."

"  ...  19-year-old Delmon Young  ...  hit in each of the six games he played during his first week in Triple-A. Young hit his first homer off Scott Baker of Rochester on Sunday, and is 8-26 (.308) with a triple, homer and four RBI."

"  ...   1B Brad Eldred, who has belted 10 home runs over his last 10 contests, has turned up the heat in the month of July. The 25-year-old has collected 10 dingers, 13 runs, 23 RBI, a .364 batting average (16-44) and 1.068 slugging percentage (47 total bases in 44 ABs) over his last 12 games."

"  ...  John-Ford Griffin has hit in 5 of the 7 games since the All-Star break. [Wednesday] he was 3-4 with a double and a home run, driving in two runs and scoring three. Griffin is batting .417 (10-24) with three home runs, driving in 10 RBI and scoring seven runs. His two RBI yesterday move him into first place in the IL with 71 on the season. He is also tied for second in the IL with 21 homeruns on the season."

"  ...  First baseman Carlos Pena had a 14-game hitting streak snapped on Wednesday night. During the streak, he hit .407 (22-54) with four HR, 11 RBI and 11 runs scored."

   Joe Kaiser, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, with some farm system notes in his weekly report :

"  ...  Adam Jones, SS, San Antonio: His promotion to Double-A San Antonio was roundly questioned, but the 19-year-old's .341 batting average, two home runs and seven steals in 24 games are proving his critics wrong."

"  ...  Matt Tuiasosopo, SS, Wisconsin: Hitting well -- .290 batting average, .374 on-base percentage, six home runs -- as a 19-year-old in the pitcher-friendly Midwest League. Those numbers could explode in the thin air of the California League."

"  ...  Bryan LaHair, 1B, Inland: Undeniably the hottest hitter in the system over the past several weeks, the 6-foot-5 slugger has 15 home runs and 70 RBIs with the 66ers this season. He's also the Cal League's top defensive first baseman."


21 July 2005

     Welcome back! Jason Collette, familiar to readers at RotoJunkie and here in previous seasons, is back aboard to help with coverage of the Southern League. 

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Edwin Encarnacion 3B CIN 2-5, 2B  ...  Dane Sardinha C CIN 2-5, 9th HR, R, 4 RBI  ...  Chris Denorfia CF CIN 2-5, 2B, R  ...  Elizardo Ramirez CIN 7-1/3 4 4 0 3 3, 2.83  ...  Andy Marte 3B ATL 2-4, 2 R, BB  ...  T.J. Pena SS ATL 2-3, R, 2 RBI, SB, HBP  ...  Anthony Lerew ATL 7 4 2 1 2 6, 2.76  ...  Carlos Ruiz C PHI 3-4, BB  ...  Shane Victorino CF PHI 2-3, 2 2B, R, 3 RBI, 2 BB  ...  Eude Brito PHI 7 5 2 2 3 4, 4.45  ...  John-Ford Griffin LF TOR 3-4, 2B, 21st HR, 3 R, 2 RBI, HBP  ...  rehab, Corey Koskie DH TOR 1-4, R, RBI, HBP  ...  Francisco Rosario TOR 2 4 3 3 2 0, 3.87  ...  B.J. Upton SS TB 2-4, R, 0 errors  ...  Delmon Young RF TB 2-4, 3B, 2 RBI  ...  Ryan Raburn 2B DET 1-4, 13th HR, R, RBI  ...  Carlos Pena DH DET 0-4  ...  Jason Cooper LF CLE 2-5, 3B, RBI  ...  Kelly Shoppach C BOS 1-3, 21st HR, R, 4 RBI, BB  ...  Chris Narveson BOS 6-1/3 9 4 4 0 5, 4.86  ...  the homer machine strikes again, Brad Eldred 1B PIT 2-4, 14th & 15th HRs (28 overall), 3 R, 5 RBI, BB, SB  ...  rehab, Ross Gload 1B CHA 0-4  ...  Kevin Thompson LF NYA 2-3, 2B, 2 R, RBI, BB, HBP  ...  Tim Redding NYA 5 7 5 5 2 5, 3.60  ...  Jason Bartlett SS MIN 2-5, 5th HR, R, 2 RBI  ...  Boof Bonser MIN 7 3 3 3 3 8, 3.64

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Anthony Reyes STL 5-1/3 3 2 2 2 4  ...  Jason Botts TEX 1-4, 18th homer  ...  Cory Patterson CHN 2-5, homer  ...  Rich Hill CHN, a little stumble, 4-1/3 8 6 6 1 3  ...  Fernando Nieve HOU 6 8 5 5 3 9  ...  Casey Kotchman ANA, maybe he's awake, 2-4, double, homer  ...  Todd Linden SF 3-4, double, .345  ...  Conor Jackson ARZ 1-2, double, 2 walks, .363

EASTERN (AA)  --  Shelly Duncan 1B NYA 2-4, 2B (21), HR (25), RBI (64), .257 AVG … Franklin Gutierrez CLE OF 1-5, SB (11), RBI (36), .232 AVG … Brad Snyder CLE OF 1-5, .276 AVG … Tony Giarratano SS DET 2-4, .250 AVG … David Espinosa OF DET 1-2, .299 AVG … Fred Lewis OF SF 3-6, .262 AVG … Daniel Ortmeier OF SF 2-6, .277 AVG … Carlos Valderrama OF SF 2-5, 2 SB (22), RBI (40), .302 AVG … Mike Jacobs 1B NYN 3-4, 2B (26), 2 RBI (66), .315 AVG … Aaron Baldris 3B NYN 1-5, SB (6), 2B (25), 2 RBI (37), .280 AVG … Lastings Miledge OF NYN 3-5, SB (3), .433 AVG …Alexander Romero OF MIN 1-5, SB (9), 2B (21), 3 RBI (52), .287 AVG … Denard Span OF MIN 2-5, RBI (11), .286 AVG … Ryan Zimmerman 3B WAS 2-4, 2B (6), .247 AVG … Chip Cannon 1B TOR 1-4, HR (2), RBI (4), .256 AVG … Curtis Thigpen C TOR 2-4, .316 AVG … Dustin McGowan TOR 5-1/3 4 1 0 3 7, 3.10 ERA … Rafael Perez CLE 7 5 1 1 9 4, 0.99 ERA … Edward Mujica CLE 1-2/3 1 0 0 0 2, 1.46 ERA …  Jeremy Johnson DET 6 3 3 2 5 7, W (8), 4.43 ERA … Jeffrey Karstens NYA 7 6 1 1 2 7, W (9), 4.01 ERA … Vince Perkins TOR 5 8 5 5 5 4, 4.26 ERA … Hayden Penn BAL 5 9 4 4 3 4, 4.28 ERA   ...  Hanley Ramirez  BOS 0-2, .272 AVG, 5th straight game at second base :

"  ...  Ben Cherington, director of player development for the Boston Red Sox, was in Portland for the last two games of this series. Appearing on a radio pregame show, Cherington downplayed the timing of Hanley Ramirez's move to second base. "It's very rare for a middle infielder to go straight to the big leagues at one position and play only that position. Hanley is still a shortstop. This just exposes him to another position."  (Portland Press Herald)

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Jeremy Hermida OF FLA 1-2, 3B, 3 BB .296  ...  Reggie Abercrombie OF FLA1-2, HR, 2 RBI, .262  ...  Yorman Bazardo FLA (W) 5 7 3 2 3 3, 3.74 now 7-6  ...  Chris Resop FLA 2 0 0 1 1, 2.43  ...  D'Angelo Jimenez SS CIN 1-3, 2B, 2 BB .272  ...  Richie Gardner CIN 4 4 3 3 1 3, 5.79  ...  Casey Rogowski 1B CHA 1-4, 2B, 2 BB .323  ...  Josh Fields 3B CHA 0-4 2 K's .248  ...  Ryan Sweeney OF CHA 1-3, BB, .275  ...  Sean Tracey CHA (L) 4 8 8 8 2 1 2 HRs, 4.03 now 10-4  ...  Corwin Malone CHA 2 2 0 0 0 2, 4.18  ...  Delwyn Young OF LAD 1-4, 14th HR, 3 RBI .291  ...  James Loney 1B LAD 2-4, 2B, RBI .279  ...  Andy LaRoche 3B LAD 1-4, 6th HR (27th overall), 3 RBI .286  ...  Joel Guzman SS LAD 2-4, run .285  ...  Chad Billingsley LAD 4 4 3 3 4 5, 4.39  ...  Carlos Alvarez LAD (W) 3 2 0 0 0, 3.18  ...  Hong Chih Kuo LAD 2 0 0 0 3, 2.16, 16 K's in 8.1 AA innings .. 1st Game: .Noochie Varner OF AZ 1-3, 3B, run .293  ...  Miguel Montero C AZ 2-3, .318  ...  Jamie D'Antona 3B AZ 0-3 .255  ...  John Zeringue OF AZ 1-3, solo HR, .270  ...  Marland Williams OF AZ 0-3 .236  ...  Dustin Nippert AZ (L) 6 5 3 3 1 3 1, 2.91  ...  Brandon Sing 1B CHN 1-3, .297  ...  David Aardsma CHN (W) 1 1 0 0 0, 2.84, now 10-2  ...  2nd Game: Jesus Cota 1B AZ 0-3 .263  ...  John Zeringue OF AZ 0-3 .268  ...  Marland Williams OF AZ 0-3 .233  ...  Brandon Sing 1B CHN 0-2, BB, RBI .295  ...  Elliott Johnson 2B TAM 3-5, run, RBI, 35th SB .293  ...  Elijah Dukes OF TAM 2-5, run, 2 RBI .294  ...  Wes Bankston 1B TAM 0-3, BB, K .309  ...  Shawn Riggans C TAM 2-4, 2B, run, RBI .274  ...  Jesus Colome TAM 2 0 0 0 2, 0.00  ...  Josh Burrus LF ATL 0-4, 2 K's .263  ...  Luis Hernandez SS ATL 0-3 .229  ...  Matt Coenen ATL (L) 5.1 10 4 4 1 1, 5.03

TEXAS (AA)  --  Heating up - Charlton Jimerson HOU 2-3, 2R, HR(10), RBI(26), 2SB(23), .261  ...  Andre Ethier OAK 3-4, R, .329  ...  Casey Myers (DH) OAK 2-4, R, RBI(25), .333  ...  Jeremy Brown OAK 2-3, R, 2B, .260  ...  Mike Nannini OAK (W,2-0) 6-2/3 3 3 3 3 6 (4.44)  ...  Shawn Kohn OAK (S,5) 1-1/3 1 0 0 1 2 (2.47)  ...  Howie Kendrick ANA 1-4, 2B, RBI(4), .500  ...  Daniel Davidson ANA (W,9-4) 6 3 1 0 2 7 (4.24)  ...  Justin Huber KC 2-4, R, HR(13), 2RBI(66), .349  ...  Josh Pressley (DH) KC 2-3, R, 2B, HR(13), RBI(51), .296  ...  Hmmm - Chris Lambert STL (L,1-3) 5 6 4 4 2 6 (4.73)  ...  Still on fire - Jaime Bubela (CF) SEA 4-5, 3R, 2B, HR(8), RBI(39), .296  ...  TJ Bohn SEA 2-5, 2R, 2HR(11), 4RBI(52), .312  ...  Joaquin Arias TX 2-4, R, .302  ...  Drew Meyer TX 2-4, R, RBI(45), .325  ...  Emiliano Fruto SEA (S,9) 1-1/3 0 0 0 0 0 (2.76)  ...  Hmmm - Edison Volquez TX (L,1-4) 3-2/3 5 3 3 1 2 (4.31)

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Brandon Wood ANA 4-5, 32nd double, 2 homers (33), 4 RBI (86), .327  ...  Matt Chico ARZ, beginning to get untracked back in the CAL, 7 4 0 0 2 10  ...  Stephen Drew ARZ 2-4, double, .345  ...  catcher Chris Iannetta COL 2-4, 2 homers (11), 4 RBI, .275 (.380+ OBA, 45 BB, 60 K)   ...  Juan Morillo COL, results still far from the hype, 6 2 1 1 6 8, 3.70  ...  Wladimir Balentien SEA 1-4, 15th homer, .265  ...  Pete Maestrales 2B KC 3-5, double, 2 homers, .324   ...  Seth Smith COL 3-5, 2 RBI, .307  ...  Ian Stewart COL 0-4, walk, 3 Ks, .273

CAROLINA (A+) --  Jeff Fiorentino BAL 1-4, R, HR (9), 2 RBI, K  ...  Stephen Head CLE 1-4  ...  James Johnson BAL (W, 9-4, 3.05) 6 5 1 1 2 6  ...  Matt Esquivel ATL 2-4, double (22), 2 RBI (64), K  ...  Jarrod Saltalamacchia ATL 2-4, R, K  ...  Kory Casto WAS 2-4, R, HR (17), 3 RBI (67), K  ...  Micah Schnurstein CHA 3-5, R, K  ...  Thomas Collaro CHA 2-5, R, HR (21), 2 RBI (68), K  ...  Gio Gonzalez CHA (W, 8-3, 2.62) 6 5 3 3 3 8

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  Greg Miller LA, control problem in move to A+, 1-2/3 1 0 0 4 2  ...  Steve Trachsel NYN, beginning the road back,  2-2/3 4 2 1 1 2  ...  Justin Jones MIN 7-1/3 3 0 0 3 5

MIDWEST (A) --  No games.

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Joseph Koshansky 1B COL 2-3, 25th double, 22nd homer, 3 RBI (71), .292  ...  Neil Walker PIT 4-5, double,  .283  ...  Claudio Arias OF BOS 4-5, 7th homer, 4 RBI, .321  ...  Jeff Allison FLO 6-2/3 4 2 2 3 6, 4.19


NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) --  Caleb Stewart NYN 3-5, double, .311  ...  2B Jed Lowrie BOS 2-4, 2 doubles, walk, 3 runs, .316  ...  Justin Pekarek CLE (8th rounder, 2004) 3 1 0 0 1 9, 1.93 (29 Ks in 17 innings)

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  John Defendis OF CHN, up from the ASL, 3-4  ...  Brenton Carter SD 5-2/3 7 1 1 0 6 (30 Ks, 1 BB in 31-1/3)  ...  Michael Mooney OF SF 5-6, double, .371  ...  John Mayberry TEX 3-5, double

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) --  yet another save for Robert Findlay (RP TBY) SV (9), 2/3 0 0 0 0 0.77 ERA… Juan Portes (DH/2B MIN) 1-3, R, HR (6), 2 RBI (17); and 1-3, R, BB, E (5), .378 BA… 8th save in 12 appearances and still unscored upon, Tim Lahey (RP MIN) SV (8), 1 0 0 0 0 0, 0.00 ERA… P.J. Hiser (DH/1B CLE) 2-3, 2 R, 2B, HR (7), RBI (24); and 1-3, 2B, RBI (25), 2 K, .297 BA… Rene Aqueron (2B BAL) 2-2, R, HR (3), RBI (9), .500 BA… Luis Valdez (SP CLE) 5 3 2 2 0 8, 3.33 ERA, 28/4 K/BB ratio in 27 IP this season… locked in after moving up from Brooklyn, Gregory Gonzalez (CF NYM) 3-3, 3 R, 2B; and 1-3 (the only K-Mets hit in a 6 inning one hitter at the hands of Greeneville in the first half of a twinbill), .370 BA… Brad James (SP HOU) W (1-1), 6-1/3, 1 0 0 1 6, 4.60 ERA… Ovandy Suero (2B ATL) 3-4, 2 R, HR (2), RBI (8), SB (19), E (2), .337 BA… another fine outing for Jairo Cuevas (SP ATL) W (4-0), 6 3 0 0 1 5, 1.30 ERA, 33/5 K/BB ratio in 27-2/3 IP, with 15 hits allowed.

PIONEER (ROOKIE) --  3b Corey Wimberly Col 1-5, R, SB(15) (.340)  ...  DH Fransico Hernandez CWS 2-4, 2R, HR(3), 2RBI, (.318)  ...  LF Darren Ford Mil 1-6, R, 3SO, SB(8), (.340)  ...  CF Charlie Fermaint Mil 1-5, HR(7), 3RBI, 3 SO, (.351)  ...  DH Angel Salome Mil 1-5, 2R, RBI, SB(5), BB, SO, (.420)  ...  RF Branden Katin Mil 2-3, 3R, 2b, SB(3), RBI, 3BB, SO, (.442)  ... 2b Kenny Holmberg Mil 2-4, HR(4), 3RBI, 2BB, SO, SB, (.364)  ...  SP Will Inman Mil 2.2 7 6 6 0 2 (4HRs)  ...  1b David Sutherland LAD 2-5, 2R, 2b, SO, (.420)  ...  3b Russell Mitchell LAD 2-5, 2HR(10), 4RBI, (.328)  ...  C Juan Apodaca LAD 1-5, HR(8), 3SO, (.311)  ...  CF Brandon Roberts Cin 3-4, HR(2), (.343)  ...  2b Adam Rosales Cin 2-5, 3R, HR(4), 2RBI, (.327)  ...  SP Rafeal Gonzalez Cin 5.0 4 0 0 2 6 (1.85)  ...  3b Rusty Ryal ARI 3-5, R, RBI, (.323)  ...  P Kelly Shearer LAA 6 1 0 0 0 0 1 (2.81)

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  catcher Aaron Cheesman PHI 2-3, double, .538  ...  3B Cody Allen FLO 2-6, 2 homers, 4 RBI  ...  Richard Sojo OF MIN 2-4, 2 triples, .385

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Timothy Auty CF SEA 2-3, double, .378  ...  catcher Luany Sanchez SD 2-5, double, .339

  Troop Movements  ...   BOS - Activated Tony Graffanino, Kevin Youkilis to AAA  ...  KC -  Donnie Murphy up, Shane Costa to AA  ...  NYA - Alex Graman up, Wayne Franklin to AAA  ...  CIN - Ryan Freel activated from DL, Austin Kearns up  ...  COL - claimed Anderson Machado off waivers  ...  WAS - Claimed Kenny Kelly off waivers, designated Wil Cordero for assignment, Joe Horgan to AAA, Jacobo Sequea to AA

    Holding one's breath in Philly :

"  ...  Cole Hamels will be in Philadelphia on Thursday morning  ...  an appointment with team doctor Michael Ciccotti, who will examine the lefty's sore back. Hamels beat Portland on Tuesday, earning his second win for Double-A Reading. He allowed two hits and five walks in six innings, with five strikeouts. He felt some soreness after, and the Phillies don't want to take any chances. "We'll see where we go from there," said general manager Ed Wade. "We hope it's no big deal." The Phillies hope this isn't a detour on a season that could end with Hamels pitching in Philadelphia, since Class A Clearwater and Reading haven't presented much a challenge. Hamels could represent a possible midseason acquisition."  (MLB.com)

    Jim Callis, Baseball America, sorting out the SEA shortstops :

"  ...  Betancourt and Cabrera are both dazzling fielders, while Jones has an absolute cannon for an arm to go with solid range. Navarro has very sure hands and is a legitimate shortstop, though with all the others in the system he already has been shuttling between second base and short and has seen a little time at third base—he'll probably wind up as a utilityman. Morse and Tuiasosopo probably aren't going to be long-term shortstops. Morse has been decent in the majors so far, but he lacks the first-step quickness and range of an ideal shortstop. Though Tuiasosopo is a good athlete and a former top quarterback recruit, he doesn't have classic shortstop actions and probably will outgrow the position. As for Betancourt's bat, he should be fine  ...   Throw in a defensive package scouts compare to that of Cesar Izturis, and Betancourt does project as a big league regular. It's still difficult sorting out the Mariners shortstop prospects, but I'll take another crack at it: Jones, Betancourt, Tuiasosopo, Cabrera, Morse (I think he's playing over his head in Seattle right now), Navarro."

    John Sickels on Jay Rainville MIN :

"  ...   Twins just promoted Jay Rainville to Class A Fort Myers  ...  He was 8-2, 3.77 in 16 starts at Beloit before the promotion, with a 77/27 K/BB in 88 innings. Personally, I don't think I would have promoted him so soon, but they didn't ask me, and it's hard to argue with the results of his first FSL start. Rainville has excellent stuff, and his command has been better than expected this year. Grade B prospect certainly, perhaps B+ by the end of the year if he keeps pitching like this."

    The ANA infield combo also tops the Who's Hot list at RotoAmerica.  Brandon Wood and Howie Kendrick topped Delmon Young, Lastings Milledge and Stephen Drew for the top slots.

"  ...  Wood  ...   Not sure what the Angels are waiting for here, but Wood continues to lead the minors in HR's and is now drawing a few walks as well, perhaps due to his gaudy offensive statistics  ...   Kendrick ...  Could be a more powerful Luis Castillo at the big league level."

"  ...    Milledge  ...   Has gone 10-21 since a promotion to AA. Walks still aren't there, but that should come in time."

"  ...  Drew  ...   a 1.185 OPS ... as a SS no less. Seven errors in 26 games make you wonder about a position change."

"  ...  Juan Cruz  ...   He's striking out hitters at a Rich Hill-esque pace. Look at these K totals: June 27th - 10 K's; July 3rd - 11 K's; July 8th - 7 K's; July 16th - 13 K's."

    TB's BJ Upton ranks No. 2 on the Who's Not list :

"  ...   Upton  ...  Starting to make errors by the handful after a good run in June. I am puzzled but not surprised that the Drays are mishandling a guy with 25-30 HR and 50 SB potential. This could be the best OF in the majors in 2007 if they do the right thing and move Upton to the OF: LF Crawford, CF Upton, RF Young."

   Dayn Perry, FoxSports, includes Wes Bankston TB and Casey Janssen TOR among his under-hyped prospects:

"  ...   Bankston  ...   has power and lots of it. He scuttled in the Sally League in 2003 but rebounded last year to slug .513 and draw 73 walks. This year, Bankston laid waste to the Cal League and earned a late May promotion to Double-A. There, he's hitting for power and still flashing solid plate discipline."

"  ...   Janssen  ...   When it comes to promising college-trained arms, the Blue Jays have something approaching an embarrassment of riches. Janssen is among the best of the lot. He was strong in the short-season NY-Penn League last season after signing, but that's not a challenging circuit for the college set. This year, in 114.0 innings across three different levels, Janssen has given up 24 runs, fanned 98, walked 16 and coughed up only two homers. That's impressive, especially considering his rapid promotion schedule. Don't be surprised if he cracks the Toronto rotation to open the '06 season."


20 July 2005

    Thanks for your patience.  Lots of catch-up below.

    INTERNATIONAL (AAA) --  Austin Kearns RF CIN 2-5, 2B, 7th HR, R, 2 RBI  ...  Chris Denorfia CF CIN 2-5, RBI  ...  Steve Kelly CIN 2-2/3 7 8 7 6 2, 4.82  ...  James Jurries RF ATL 2-4, 3B, 2 R  ...  Scott Thorman 1B ATL 2-4, 2B, RBI  ...  Kyle Davies ATL 6 5 1 1 1 7, 4.38  ...  Gavin Floyd PHI 7 5 4 2 4 5, 6.55  ...  rehab, Corey Koskie 3B TOR 1-3  ...  B.J. Upton SS TB 0-4, BB, 1 error (34th)  ...  Curtis Granderson CF DET 4-5, 2B, R, 3 RBI, BB, SB  ...  Carlos Pena 1B DET 1-6, RBI  ...  Jason Cooper LF CLE 1-4, 6th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB  ...  Jason Davis CLE 5 8 3 3 2 3, 4.86  ...  Kelly Shoppach C BOS 2-3, 20th HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB  ...  Nate McLouth CF PIT 2-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI, SB  ...  Brad Eldred 1B PIT 3-3, 12th & 13th HRs, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB  ...  Bryan Bullington PIT 6-1/3 4 0 0 0 5, 3.98  ...  Anderson Hernandez 2B NYN 2-5, RBI, SB  ...  Brian Anderson CF CHA 2-4, R  ...  Kevin Thompson LF NYA 2-5  ...  Melky Cabrera CF NYA 2-5, 2B, R, RBI  ...  John Maine BAL 5-1/3 10 5 5 1 4, 4.25

Mon - Edwin Encarnacion 3B CIN 3-4, R  ...  Andy Marte 3B ATL 3-6, 2B, 13th HR, 3 R, 3 RBI  ...  Pedro Liriano PHI 8 5 1 1 1 9, 3.79  ...  John-Ford Griffin LF TOR 2-3, 20th HR, R, 3 RBI, BB  ...  rehab, Corey Koskie 3B TOR 1-3, 2B  ...  B.J. Upton SS TB 1-3, 2B, R, SB, 1 error  ...  Delmon Young RF TB 2-6, R  ...  Jason Hammel TB 5-2/3 5 4 4 2 3, 6.35  ...  Curtis Granderson CF DET 1-5, 13th HR, R, RBI  ...  Fausto Carmona CLE 8 6 1 1 0 6, 2.17  ...  Kelly Shoppach C BOS 3-4, 18th & 19th HRs, 3 R, 5 RBI, HBP  ...   Brad Eldred 1B PIT 2-4, 11th HR, R, 3 RBI  ...  Victor Diaz 1B NYN 2-4, 2B, 7th HR, 2 R, RBI  ...  Brian Bannister NYN 5-2/3 2 1 1 5 4, 1.59  ...  Brian Anderson CF CHA 2-5, 15th HR, R, 2 RBI  ...  Jason Bartlett SS MIN 4-5, 3rd & 4th HRs, 3 R, 3 RBI  ...  Sun -  Edwin Encarnacion 3B CIN 1-3, 15th HR, R, 2 RBI, SB, HBP  ...   Andy Marte 3B ATL 1-2, 12th HR, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB  ...  David Bush TOR 7 11 6 5 1 4, 4.42  ...  Joel Zumaya DET 3-1/3 4 6 6 4 2, 16.20  ...  Ryan Garko 1B CLE 4-5, R & 1-3  ...  Brian Tallet CLE 3-2/3 9 6 5 0 0, 4.03  ...  Brandon McCarthy CHA 6 7 2 2 1 4, 5.35  ...  Scott Baker MIN 8 2 1 1 0 6, 3.01  ...  Walter Young DH BAL 2-4, 2B, 12th HR, R, RBI

PACIFIC COAST (AAA)  --  Juan Dominguez TEX 2-2/3 5 3 3 1 1  ...  Adrian Gonzalez TEX 3-5, .311  ...  Prince Fielder MIL 1-3, 18th homer, 2 walks, .258  ...  Adam Wainwright STL 6 7 3 2 2 4  ...  Todd Wellemeyer CHN 7 3 0 0 0 6  ...   Justin Germano SD 9 4 0 0 2 5   ...  Conor Jackson ARZ 2-4, 2 doubles (35), .364   ...  Carlos Quentin ARZ 2-3, 19th homer, 4 RBI, .314  ...  Mon - Adrian Gonzalez TEX 4-5, 13th homer  ...  Prince Fielder MIL 3-4, 15th double  ...  Josh Barfield SD 3-4, triple  ...  Sun - Scott Hairston ARZ 3-6, double, 15th homer  ...  Carlos Quentin ARZ 2-5, 18th homer  ...  Felix Hernandez SEA 1 3 3 3 2 1  ...  Prince Fielder MIL 1-2, 17th homer  ...  Adrian Gonzalez TEX 1-4, 12th homer

EASTERN (AA)  --  Zach Jackson TOR 8 5 1 1 1 5  ...  Chip Cannon TOR 2-4, 2 doubles  ...  Brad Snyder CLE 2-4, 6th homer  ...  Armando Galarraga WAS 9 3 0 0 1 7, 1.29  ...  Mike Jacobs NYN, catching too, 3-5, triple, 19th homer, .310  ...  Cole Hamels PHI 6 2 2 2 5 5  ...  Paul Maholm PIT 6 8 3 3 3 5  ...  Sun -   Brad Snyder CLE OF 3-4, 2B (10), HR (5), RBI (16), .282 AVG … Tony Giarratano SS DET 3-8, HR (3), RBI (26), .247 AVG … Fred Lewis OF SF 4-6, 2 SB (22), RBI (27), .255 AVG … Daniel Ortmeier OF SF 5-8, SB (24), 3 RBI (57), .271 AVG … Lastings Milledge OF NYN 3-4, SB (2), .588 AVG …  Randy Ruiz 1B PHI 2-5, HR (24), 2 RBI (81), .356 AVG … Chip Cannon 1B TOR 0-3, .222 AVG … Dan Denham CLE 7 3 2 0 1 7, W (8), 3.33 ERA … Anibal Sanchez BOS 3-2/3 4 3 2 2 5, 2.35 ERA … Felix Rodriguez NYA 1 1 0 0 1 0, 0.00 ERA …Matthew DeSalvo NYA 8 1 0 0 0 4, W (6), 3.24 ERA … Josh Banks TOR 6-1/3 7 3 3 0 2, 4.43 ERA

SOUTHERN (AA) --  Chuck James ATL 7 6 2 2 0 7, 2.66  ...  Jae-kuk Ryu CHN 8 4 1 1 1 2, 3.34  ...  Bobby Basham CIN 5 3 1 1 3 3  ...  Mon - James Loney LA 3-4, double  ...  Reggie Abercrombie ARZ  3-5, homer  ...  Sun - Delwyn Young LA 3-5, 24th double, 13th homer  ...  Elijah Dukes TB 2-4, 14th homer  ...  Edwin Jackson LA 6 6 3 3 1 2

TEXAS (AA)  --  Daric Barton OAK 0-4  ...  Thomas Diamond TEX 7 4 1 1 1 8  ...  Howie Kendrick ANA 4-5, homer  ...  Erick Aybar ANA 3-5, double  ...  Justin Huber KC 3-5, 22nd double, 12th homer, .347  ...  Mon - Daric Barton OAK 0-4  ...  Dallas Braden OAK 6-2/3 7 2 2 1 5  ...  Sun - Joaquin Arias TEX 4-6, double, homer, 3 RBI, .300  ...  Howie Kendrick ANA 2-5  ... 

CALIFORNIA (A+) --  Joey Gomes TB 4-5, double, .294  ...  Jesse Foppert SF 2/3 0 2 2 4 0  ...  Micah Owings ARZ, pro debut, 1 0 0 0 0 1  ...  Ian Stewart COL 3-5, 11th homer, .277  ...  Troy Tulowitzki SS COL 3-3, 2 walks, 2 doubles, homer, 4 RBI, .270  ...  Brandon Wood ANA 3-4, 31st double, walk, .321  ...  Kevin Mahar CF TEX, leadoff,  4-4, 2 homers (14)  ...  Mon - Eddy Martinez-Esteve SF 3-5, 33rd double  ...  Chris Carter OF ARZ 3-3, 24th double, 2 homers (20), 5 RBI, 2 walks  ...  Cesar Carrillo SD 5 5 3 3 1 5  ...  Brandon Wood ANA 3-4, 2 doubles (30)  ...  Sun -  Nate Schierholtz SF 3-5  ...  Jesse Foppert SF, rehab, 1 1 0 0 0 1  ...  Brandon Wood ANA 3-5, 31st homer

CAROLINA (A+) --  Nate Spears 2B BAL 1-5, 22nd double, 2 RBI, K, .307  ...  Nick Markakis OF BAL 1-4, R, BB  ...  Jeff Fiorentino OF BAL 3-5, R, RBI  ...  Stephen Head 1B CLE 0-3, BB, K  ...  Adam Loewen BAL (W, 4-6, 4.15) 5 8 1 1 3 5  ...  Nick Pesco CLE (L, 6-8, 3.90) 5-1/3 9 3 0 0 3  ...  Kory Casto 3B WAS 1-3, R, 16th homer, 2 RBI (64), BB, K  ...  Jarrod Saltalamacchia C ATL 2-4, R, 22nd double, 2 RBI, BB, .296  ...  Mon -  Nick Markakis OF BAL 1-3, R, RBI, BB, .294  ...  Jeff Fiorentino OF BAL 2-4, R, double, RBI, K, SB (7), .267  ...  Stephen Head 1B CLE 2-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB, .421  ...  Kory Casto 3B WAS 3-5, 3 R, 14th & 15th homers, 3 RBI (62), .298  ...  Mike Hinckley WAS 7 6 2 0 3 3  ...  Sun -  Kory Casto 3B WAS 2-4, 2 R

FLORIDA STATE (A+) --  No games Tues.  Mon - Guillermo Quiroz TOR 2-3, homer  ...  Chin-lung Hu SS LA 4-5, double  ...  Tony Abreu 2B LA 5-6, double, homer, 5 RBI  ...  Jay Rainville MIN, adjusting nicely to FSL, 6 6 1 1 0 5  ...  Sun - David Purcey TOR 4-2/3 6 4 2 2 8  ...  Matt Kemp LA 3-5, 2 doubles, 19th homer  ...  Adam Harben MIN 9 5 0 0 1 6, 2.33

MIDWEST (A) --  Matt Bush SD 0-3 (.228)  ...  Michael Ekstrom SD 6 5 1 1 1 5 (12-3, 3.17)  ...  Michael Collins ANA 6th HR (.330)  ...  Trevor Plouffe MIN 1-3 (3-8 with 2 doubles Sun/Mon.)  ...  Chi-Hung Cheng TOR 6 4 2 2 2 5 (3.01)  ...  Reid Brignac TB 2-4 (.260)  ...  Homer Bailey CIN 2 6 6 6 2 1 (4.88)  ...  Javier Herrera OAK 3-6, double, HR (.279)  ...  Matt Weber CHN 5 5 5 5 2 3 (3.78)  ...  Eric Patterson CHN 3-5, 2 HR's (8)  ...  Michael Schlact TEX 3 2/3 9 6 6 2 2 (442)  ...  Carlos Gonzalez ARZ 4-7, 20th double (.315)  ...  Dallas Trahern DET 9 7 0 0 1 5 (3.27)  ...  Also from Sun. & Mon -  Sean Gallagher CHN 6 6 3 3 1 10 (W, 10-3, 1.95)  ...  Raul Padron OAK 2 HR's, and his 14th passed ball  ...  Luis Cota KC 7 6 2 2 2 5 (3.58)

SOUTH ATLANTIC (A) --  Brad Davis FLA 3-4, double, run  ...  Blake Dewitt LA 2-4, solo homer  ...  Neil Walker PIT 3-5, 2 doubles, 2 rbi, .276  ...  Jeff Corsaletti BOS 2-4, double, triple, 2 runs  ...  Hunter Pence HOU 2-4, 2 RBI  ...  Greg Golson PHI 4-4, double, 3 runs, 2 SB (17)  ...  Jeff Jaramillo PHI 3-4, 3 runs, SB  ... . Mon -  Ambiorix Concepcion NYN 3-5, triple, RBI, run, SB  ...  Jeff Corsaletti 3-5, solo homer, .407  ...  Juan Gutierrez HOU 6 9 0 0 0 5, (W, 7-2), 2.10  ...  Travis Denker LA 2-3, double, walk  ...  Sun - Trevor Crowe CLE 3-4, walk, 2 SB  ...  Hunter Pence HOU 3-4, double, RBI, run  ...  Neil Walker PIT 2-5, double, run  ...  Jeff Corsaletti BOS 2-5, double, 3 RBI


NEW YORK-PENN (SHORT-SEASON) -- 

NORTHWEST (SHORT-SEASON) --  John Mayberry OF TEX 2-4, double, walk, .188   ...  Steve Murphy TEX 3-4, 2 doubles, .342  ...   Michael Massaro OAK, leadoff, 4-5, .342  ...  Jason Van Kooten COL 1-5, 4th homer

APPALACHIAN (ROOKIE) -- 

PIONEER (ROOKIE) -- 

GULF COAST  (ROOKIE) --  Elvis Andrus SS ATL 2-4, double, .316  ...  catcher Miguel Bernard ATL 4-5, homer, 3 RBI, .375  ...  Bubba Bell OF BOS 4-5, triple, .317  ...   SS Ivan DeJesus LA 3-3, walk, 4 runs, .338

ARIZONA (ROOKIE) --  Roberto Valiente OF TEX 3-3, 2 walks, .373  ...  Cubs' 1st rounder Mark Pawelek can't buy a win, 4 2 1 1 1 3, 0.56 but 0-3  ...  Mon - Roberto Valiente TEX 3-5, homer, 5 RBI

  Troop Movements  ...   FLO - Nate Bump DL, Travis Smith up   ...  ARZ - Kelly Stinnett DL, Koyie Hill up  ...  LA - Wilson Alvarez activated from DL  ...  HOU - Wandy Rodriguez up, Ezequiel Astacio to AAA  ...   TOR - Justin Miller to AAA  ...  NYA - Ruben Sierra DL, Andy Phillips up, Felix Rodriguez activated from DL, Darrell May outright to AAA  ...  TEX - C.J. Wilson up, Jason Botts to AAA  ...  BOS - acquired Adam Hyzdu from SD for Scott Cassidy, Alan Embree designated for assignment,  acquired infielder Tony Graffanino from KC for  Chip Ambres and Juan Cedeno   ...  COL - Matt Holliday activated from DL, Ryan Spilborghs to AAA  ...  CHN - Ben Grieve to AAA, traded Jason Dubois to CLE for Jody Gerut.   ...  CHA - Shingo Takatsu designated for assignment  ...  MIL - Wes Obermueller to AAA, Justin Lehr up  ... 

    ANA infield combo tops Kevin Goldstein's latest Prospect Hot Sheet at Baseball America.

"  ...  1. Brandon Wood  ...   scary thing is that Wood actually has picked up his performance of late, batting .382-5-22 in 14 July games, including a 15-for-26 mark this week with three home runs. Now your minor league leader in home runs (31) and extra-base hits (64), Wood has seemingly unlimited potential  ... 2. Howie Kendrick  ...   minor league batting leader at .384, Kendrick went 12-for-22 in his final five games for Rancho Cucamonga and didn't lose a beat in his first game for the Travelers, going 2-for-5. That gave him 11 multihit games in his last 15   ...  7. Adam Jones  ...  batting .341 in 24 games for the Missions to go along with a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen bases and possibly the best infield arm in the minors  ...  9. Edwin Encarnacion  ...  , Since homering in the Triple-A All-Star Game, Encarnacion has gone 9-for-17 with three doubles and a pair of longballs, as he gets ready to take over at the big league level once the Reds move Joe Randa."

    Yikes.  One more.  Mets Blog  reports Philip Humber the Mets' 1st rounder last season has had Tommy John surgery.

    Bryan Smith, The Baseball Analysts, begins his mid-season prospect update with numbers 31 to 75 :

"  ...  75. Jarrod Saltalamacchia  ...  Interestingly enough, Salty is a very similar player to the one he's trying to supplant, Johnny Estrada. I really like Jarrod, and I would say there is about a decent chance that he becomes a better player than Brian McCann. Both need to work on their defense, but it appears their bats will be enough. Atlanta doesn't have very many parks that are good on hitters, Myrtle Beach being the worst, so we may not get to see Salty's true ceiling for awhile. But trust me, some of those doubles will start going over the fence soon."

"  ...  65. Miguel Montero  ...   current favorite for the Reed-Kinsler breakout of the year award, Montero is now in AA after making fools of high-A pitchers. I'm more skeptical of Montero than most players on this list, but that roots more from his newfound skills than anything else. If this just had been Francisco Hernandez, I wouldn't be thinking twice about his placement."

"  ...  35. Elijah Dukes  ...  Let the Rocco Baldelli v. Elijah Dukes debates begin! Another debate has been happening over at Minor League Ball, where many have argued against the merits of Dukes against Lastings Milledge. The latter has a higher ceiling at this point, and that still wins out, especially considering what he's done since healing from injury. But Dukes screams out Milton Bradley to me, and has for quite some time."

   Among the weekly award winners, TB's Wes Bankston and Jason Hirsh HOU both AA stars :

"  ...   Jason Hirsh  ...  became Minor League Baseball's first three-time winner of Pitcher of the Week honors by allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out 19 in 15 innings of work. The 6-foot-8 right-hander fired his first career complete game July 11, dominating Springfield in a 1-0 win. He struck out a season-high 11 in the game while allowing just three hits  ...  Hirsh was excellent in his next outing  ... .allowing one run on four hits while striking out eight in six innings  ...  Texas League leader in strikeouts with 110 and his 3.03 ERA is the fifth-best mark in the league." (MLB.com)

"  ...   first baseman Wes Bankston hit .467 in four games last week  ...   hitting .331 with six home runs and 29 RBI since being promoted to the Southern League from Visalia on May 31. Bankston was hitting .387 with three home runs and 23 RBI in the California League at the time of his promotion. Baseball America rates Bankston the number 11 prospect in the Devil Rays' organization. The Devil Rays selected Bankston in the fourth round of the 2002 draft."  (Southern League)


Our league correspondents :  INTERNATIONAL Herb Walters / PACIFIC COAST JDM  / EASTERN Ralph Marston  / SOUTHERN Jason Collette   / TEXAS Aman Reaka  / FLORIDA STATE Wayne Stevens  / CAROLINA Troy Salvior  / CALIFORNIA JDM  / MIDWEST Bob Reed  / SOUTH ATLANTIC Dave Scott  / NEW YORK-PENN Harry Almquist  / NORTHWEST JDM  / APPALACHIAN  Scott Howes  / PIONEER Joe McAnally / GULF COAST JDM  / ARIZONA JDM

 
 

    
Rookie Reports Archive :

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